In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2022, we look at the business which have opened and closed this past year.

It has been a year of change on the business scene across the Harrogate district.

Some long-standing brands closed their doors for the final time, while many new businesses arrived, and others changed hands.

Among the most high-profile arrivals was Leon, which opened its first Harrogate district branch in June. After disputes over signage in the run-up to opening, the chain restaurant hit the headlines again when, the day before it opened, its offer of free food in exchange for feedback from customers added to the queues of traffic on Wetherby Road.

Other hospitality brands arriving in Harrogate for the first time included Cosy Club, Giggling Squid and Pret. Meanwhile, the independent scene was also enhanced with the likes of the Sunshine Bakery in Boroughbridge and Husk Beer Emporium’s move to a bar in Harrogate.

Manager Erin Seelig at Cortado on Leeds Road.

Leeds Road in Harrogate proved a top spot for coffee shops, with Cortado and Folk both arriving this year, while Kings Road remained a popular place for independents as Lilypad and Pink Door opened.

There were also numerous arrivals in retail, largely from national chains: Jules B and Oliver Bonas both opened in central Harrogate, while Hotel Chocolat expanded to a larger premises.

Lidl was the major new name when it came to supermarkets, with its new Harrogate store opening in October to add to its existing Knaresborough branch. Tesco also opened its Killinghall convenience store, while Sainsbury’s Local began trading on Cambridge Street in Harrogate.

Read more:

• Revival for James Street as major brands set to open doors
• Caffeine boost: The rise of the independent coffee shops in Harrogate

There were a few close calls too: vegan restaurant Vertigo announced last year it would open in the bottom of the Everyman cinema building, but after months without any progress, confirmed in March it had gone out of business.

Tomahawk Steakhouse, meanwhile, said it planned to open in the former Solita Food Hall on Station Parade, but in its last update this autumn said it was still awaiting access to the venue:

“At the moment Tomahawk are tied up with legalities that have unfortunately been completely out of our control.

“We were all prepared and ready to go, but with liquidators from the previous owners comes a lot of red tape. We have had to sit on the sidelines whilst it gets thrashed out between the relevant parties.

“It is a shame because we would love to get going with everything and get open, but it’s completely out of our hands.”

A number of businesses reopened under new ownership this year, including some with new names. Among them was one of Harrogate’s oldest brands, Fattorini, which changed hands at the beginning of the year.

Gino D’Acampo’s My Restaurant in Harrogate became Piccolino, another brand in the same group, while the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant opened for the first time since the end of 2020, unveiling newly refurbished premises.

Elsewhere, Jespers Bar and Kitchen opened in the former Hustle and Co premises on Station Parade, and HG1 Grill and World Bar took over the former Bistrot Pierre site on Cheltenham Parade, which had been occupied by Samsons for just a few months at the beginning of the year.

Ruebery Flowers in Knaresborough became River and Rose under new owner Kirsty Wilson, while The Old Deanery in Ripon reopened following a refurbishment by Chris Layton and Rebecca Hill, who took over following its closure in late 2020.

The former Millstones restaurant on the A59 near Menwith Hill became the Outside Inn, while the Old Spring Well was relaunched as the Curious Cow.

Expansion

There were also successes for many established businesses across the district.

The Secret Bakery expanded from its Harrogate outlet to a second branch in Knaresborough, while bookshop Imagined Things moved to new premises on Montpellier Hill.

Prologue, Starling and Cold Bath Brewing Company in Harrogate all expanded their operations, as did Ripon’s Caffe Nero.

And it wasn’t just in retail and hospitality where new businesses arrived: Ebru Evrim opened its yoga studio on Harrogate’s James Street, while new gyms Coach and Lift added to the fitness scene in Harrogate.

This year has also seen some losses across the district, including long-standing businesses.

Catch – which had taken over and rebranded the former Graveley’s fish and chip restaurant on Cheltenam Parade – ceased trading in October.

Ripon’s Bambudda closed in July, following the closure of the Black a Moor Inn at Bridge Hewick in March.

Other hospitality businesses lost this year included Gron and Cafe M. Among the shops lost were the Refilling Station, Orvis and Sofa Workshop. Cocktail bar 63rd+1st was lost less than a year after opening on Harrogate’s Albert Street.

There was sadness among many young families as Brimham Rocks Activity Farm announced it would no longer be welcoming visitors to its barns and fields from September, though it continued to offer a mobile petting farm, reindeer hire and other activities elsewhere. Dozens of parents expressed their sadness on social media after the news was announced.

Finally, some prominent premises that used to be home to big brands still stood empty in 2022.

The former Debenhams building, which closed its doors for the last time in January 2021, had been earmarked for demolition, but plans to replace it with “high quality” apartments were withdrawn in May this year.

And the former Slug and Lettuce premises on Montpellier Hill has stood empty all year after closing in spring 2021. Plans were submitted in September this year to convert it into retail premises and apartments.

It is no doubt a challenging time in retail and hospitality, and 2023 will certainly bring more changes.

Having already reported on plans lodged to deliver new bars, restaurants and shops, the Stray Ferret will bring you all the news about new arrivals and departures throughout the year.

Jespers of Harrogate reopened this morning following a shop refurbishment.

The pen and stationery store celebrated its 120th anniversary this year. The front of the shop has been remodelled, with the famous pen range relocated to the back of the store.

Shop manager Lynn Cummings said she was “amazed” by the transformation:

“We’re 120 years old this year, so we thought it was time to give the store a makeover and update what we have here. It has completely transformed the front of the shop.”

The luxury pen range has been given a new home at the back of the shop

The refurbishment of the Oxford Street shop comes two years after the business was taken on by new owners. The Jesper family retired and sold the company in 2019.

Ms Cummings added:

“Our new directors are very keen to keep the ethos that the Jesper family started and created, but also build on that with new products and lines.

“We’ve still got the lines we had, including an extensive range of writing implements from Montegrappa, Waterman, Parker, every brand that you can think of.

“We’ve also developed a whole new area to promote our personal care products. We deal with the likes of Bentley Organics, Watkins soap, Floris, and Edwin Jagger.”

In addition to stationery and personal care products, Jespers also has an art department and a variety of children’s creativity kits and jigsaws.

The personal care range.

When the store closed on June 25, the refurbishment was planned to take three weeks. That time was extended as it became clear more work was needed. But Ms Cummings is excited to be back open to the public.

“As these things go, older buildings spring up surprises and we were closed a bit longer than we wanted.

“We’re very much looking forward to reopening here at Jespers, and seeing our loyal customers and inviting new customers into the store.”